Max, the sweet-toothed boy, 3, who walked a mile at 3am to buy chocolate

The Evening Standard (U.K.) ^ | August 7, 2008

[Stoat]

Max, the sweet-toothed boy, 3, who walked a mile at 3am to buy chocolate

Last updated at 19:04pm on 07.08.08

 

 

 

Adventurer: Max McGrath, dressed in pyjamas and oversized shoes, headed off for a sweet hunt... at 3am
 

When three-year-old Max McGrath had an urge for a chocolate egg in the middle of the night, nothing was going to stop him from satisfying his craving.

At 3am the sweet-toothed toddler climbed out of bed, slipped on his brother's shoes and armed himself with his pocket money and a front door key, before heading out on a mile-long walk to the shop. 
 

Still dressed in his pyjamas, determined Max toddled through deserted streets in oversized shoes, crossing several roads, until he was finally spotted peering despondently through the window of a closed Somerfield supermarket.

Meanwhile his family, from Longridge, Preston, remained blissfully unaware of his adventures as they slept.

Newspaper delivery driver James Brown, from Bolton, said he was stunned to see fearless Max outside the shop.

"I approached him and he told me in a very matter-of-fact way that he was going to the shop," said James.
 

"He told me that his family were at home asleep."

James took Max back to the family home at 4am and, when he could not wake Max's parents, called police and explained what had happened.
 

 "He was fine but it must have been such a shock for his family when they found out what had happened," he said.
 

"I have a child about the same age and it is terrifying to think what an adventurous youngster can get up to."

Max's relieved mother Amy said: "Max is a very adventurous boy but is a complete surprise that he would do something like this.

Delivery driver James Brown, who spotted Max peering into the window of the Somerfield store a mile-and-a-half from his home

 

 

 

"It is terrifying to think what might have happened because he must have crossed several roads.

"Anyone could have found him but I am very grateful that Mr Brown did what he did and brought him home safely to us.

"When the police arrived it was an awful shock. They said they had found my son.

"I'm still shaking from shock after all this."

 

[Gabz]

Every parent's nightmare.

Yes, it is. Thank the Good Lord this situation turned out well.

Alas, I am not at my own computer and don't have my list, but I'm pinging some from memory.

[russdawg]

I did almost the same thing when I was 3. I ran away from the baby sitter because she smacked me in the face. I don’t remember whether I deserved it or not. I walked about two miles to the highway and was making the turn on the highway when a truck driver picked me up and took me into the manufacturing facility on the corner and called the sheriff. I ended up working there 25 years later and someone remembered me from that day who was still working there. I know the baby sitter is in a padded room today wearing a straight jacket. I consequently watch my kids like a hawk because of that.

[TNdandelion]

LOL When I was 5, I left school one day and walked home by myself. I didn’t feel well after lunch and while we were outside at recess, I asked to go in to use the restroom and then decided I needed to go home. I just got my things and walked out the door. Unfortunately, my mother was not home so I had to sit in the front yard for a bit. She was shocked.

[Stoat]

Thank you both very much for pinging your lists  :-)

 

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

...I was a little GIRL),...

Are you no longer a girl? (sorry, couldn't resist...)

[Oztrich Boy]

I dunno. If I were in his parents' position, I would search his room for marijuana. This is a serious case of the munchies.

[Sax]

Which is why all our exterior doors have safety chain locks placed way up high where our fearless 3 year old can’t get to them.

My younger boy was about that age, or younger, when he realized he could move one of the kitchen bar stools around to reach anything an adult could. He was getting sweets put out of reach on top of the fridge when I busted him.

[Linden1209]

I could have never done that; was not allowed to cross the street.

[Daffynition]

Fantastic story. I can understand completely.

[B4Ranch]

Just guessing, but I am going to presume that now she’s a lady.

[Sacajaweau]

Yeh...I ran away, too. Except I wasn't allowed to cross the street. I went around the block a couple times, got tired and finally hid behind the glider.

Heard many years later that dad was glad I stopped "running away" because he was getting tired of following me.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Have the authorities put Max on Ritalin yet?

[Tainan]

Hey...its chocolate...ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

Lovely looking village.

[dfwgator]

Hopefully he won't wind up like Augustus Gloop.

[Stoat]

Hooray for three year olds!

I think that most events which cause us to exclaim "aw geez! What the h*** ??" have at least one three year old (or a Socialist)  involved in the matter at some level  :-)

((((snicker))))))

[Stoat]

Flash Jr. 1.0 turns three on Sunday.

Congratulations!  WOO HOO!!!

I'm guessing that the various door latches and safety features of the Bazbeaux Manor are under constant reassessment and reevaluation   :-)

[Stoat]

This also sounds like something that Indiana Jones, as a toddler, would do.

Soon Max will be riding stallions down the avenue, rescuing vivacious and buxom damsels from disrepute and finding priceless antiquities in his mother's garden   :-)

[Stoat]

Oh yeah... I did this too... when I was 39 years old...

And I'm guessing that you were properly accessorized with armament and credit cards at the time as well  :-)

[Stoat]

Should anyone ever stumble upon a lost kid like this, the smart thing to do is to sit the kid down and call the police from the place where the kid was found. Keep the kid safe, but let the police deal with taking him home.

Agreed 100%.  I'm particularly astonished that Mr. Brown took this particular action considering that he also has a child of a similar age (or so he says).  I would think that a parent would be particularly sensitive to how the other parents would feel as well as potential liability issues.  Hopefully the officers took him aside and advised him of the potential ramifications of his actions.

[Stoat]

I feel your pain kid!

I think that many people fail to acknowledge the essential nature of Chocolate in human physiology, and when people are deprived of it they are occasionally driven to extreme measures in an effort to correct the chemical imbalance  :-)